Milikapiti Festival – A Celebration for Tiwi, by Tiwi
Saturday 6 September 2025 | 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Milikapiti Oval, Melville Island

The Tiwi Islands came alive on Saturday 6 September 2025 as Milikapiti Oval transformed into a vibrant gathering place for the Milikapiti Festival: A Celebration for Tiwi, by Tiwi.

Produced by Artback NT with proud Tiwi woman Creative Producer Libby Collins, the one-day event brought together families, artists, and community members from across the islands to celebrate Tiwi culture, language, sport and music.

From the heartfelt Welcome to Country to the all-Tiwi mainstage line-up, the day was filled with pride, laughter and connection. Kids joined in the stalls, a basketball clinic delivered by Hoops4Health and book making activities with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Families shared BBQ meals under the shade which was prepared by local staff, and elders and young people alike came together to celebrate Footy wins, locally made fashion presented by Jilamara Arts Centre and Cassie Black and Tiwi stories shared through song and dance.

The Milikapiti Festival was a true reflection of community spirit, a day that honoured the past, celebrated the present and looked toward the future of Tiwi creativity and culture.

Artback NT extends a huge thank you to Libby Collins, the Milikapiti community, performers, volunteers and partners who made the event possible.

Supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, and the Northern Territory Major Events Company.